The beautiful people

The beautiful people

Kelly Cervantes

“Pause it.” I told Miguel. We were on our couch watching The Last of Us. “I’ve had a realization and I need to say out loud so I don’t forget it.” Miguel acquiesced accustomed to my sporadic needs to verbalize my revelations. “Why is it that most of the time when a tv or movie character experiences deep loss, especially the loss of a child, they are forever depressed, sulking and generally unlikable? I mean its no wonder that people struggle as much as they do in grief and guilt when their main entertainment examples are so miserable!”

Clinging

Clinging

Kelly Cervantes

It dawned on me this week that I am real-time witnessing Jackson’s gradual shift from childhood to pre-teen teendom. That we only have years (months?) of childhood left. And we are all clinging to his vanishing childhood like Strawbaby to a piece of cake.

Into the Rare Disease Woods

Into the Rare Disease Woods

Kelly Cervantes

In honor of Rare Disease Day (which was this past Tuesday), I am highlighting the story of a fellow rare disease zebra: Fiona Wilson, who was born with Turner Syndrome. Rare diseases can be so very isolating because they are, by definition, rare. It makes finding a community that understands imperative. Fiona’s diagnosis may be rare, but her experience is far from it. And her lessons are universal. Just ask Stephen Sondheim (“Alexa: play ‘You Are Not Alone’ from Into the Woods”).

Four

Four

Kelly Cervantes

Strawbaby is officially older than Adelaide ever was. I thought that milestone would hit harder than it did - but the day came and went. So I hoped I might also make it through Strawbaby’s fourth birthday unscathed. And I almost did, until we sat down at the nail salon - or the nail salam as Strawbaby called it. Still, I was proud of myself for how I managed the day even if I slipped a little at the end.

This is not a drill

This is not a drill

Kelly Cervantes

This is not a drill. It’s happening. It really freaking happening.

My publisher let me know that Normal Broken would be available for online presale at some point in February. Sooo… I may or may not have been stalking Amazon and Barnes & Noble each day to see if it was listed yet. Then as I refreshed my search, there it was: a close up of a large green palm-style leaf with a little red ladybug crawling along. Normal Broken: The Grief Companion for When it’s Time to Heal But You’re Not Sure You Want To is available for purchase.

Like riding a bike

Like riding a bike

Kelly Cervantes

I did it! I had my author headshot photo shoot this week and I didn’t even need to take any Xanax to get through it. My friend and make-up artist Kat assured me it would be like riding a bike and she was right - by the end I was even having fun. From where I sit now it’s hard to believe that I used to have my picture taken for a living, which got me thinking about 25 year old Kelly and what she would think of my life now.

Reentry

Reentry

Kelly Cervantes

Every three years or so Miguel and I have taken a just-us/no-kids vacation. We cherish this time together where we get to be just us, as a couple, away from the exhaustion of regular life. Last week, in Mexico with Miguel I found a certain stillness, a peace and acceptance of this incredible life I’ve been gifted. Reentry into our typical life though has not been nearly as smooth or successful.

My best friend

My best friend

Kelly Cervantes

My body image issues felt like a dirty dark secret and while I assumed that most people felt negatively about their body shape, I was also simultaneously ashamed that anyone would find out how I felt about mine. Because I had normalized my negative body thoughts, I had never addressed them. There’s nothing quite like sharing your writing publicly to force you finally do something.

Body control

Body control

Kelly Cervantes

For decades now I have struggled with body image and an urge to obsessively control that image. I haven’t talked much about this because honestly, my story is a dime a dozen. But with New Years’ resolutions, Miguel and I’s upcoming trip to Mexico and booking my author headshot photoshoot - my body has been on my mind a little more than usual lately and it’s growing harder for me not to obsess. So, as always, here is me being honest with you all and where I’m at.

Everything has its place

Everything has its place

Kelly Cervantes

It’s been three weeks since my last blog, yet I was still struggling with what to write about this week. Before going on hiatus I assumed that my first blog of the new year would be inspired by some holiday effected grief moment. But our Christmas and New Year’s celebrations lacked the emotional ferocity of years past. In fact, the holidays felt – dare I say it – normal.

Big good

Big good

Kelly Cervantes

It’s time for another episode of existential crises with Kelly Cervantes! This week I continue to wonder what/who do I want to be in this life? As it is apt to do, the end of the year has me re-evaluating every decision I have ever made and questioning if I’m doing all that I can/should be doing – for my family, career, personal health – you know, just… all of it.

He looks so normal

He looks so normal

Kelly Cervantes

I want to be clarify something after receiving several messages following the release of our “Day in the Life” documentary. Epilepsy sucks a whole freaking lot regardless of specific details. You or your loved one doesn’t have to have seizures every day, week, or month - or to have died from them. Someone with epilepsy can lead an outwardly ‘typical’ life: physically, emotionally, behaviorally, communicatively and the impact is still all-consuming and over-whelming. But my guest blogger this week, Carrie Buck says it much better than me.

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